Agent Sculimbrene noted that the drug use was "older people who had used illegal drugs much more recently, recently the Inaugural." 644 According Sculimbrene, these drugs included:
designer drugs think the first time heard the word 'designer drugs' was off appointee. Cocaine possibly crack cocaine hallucinogenic mushrooms. think some people used LSD. was much more than the one two times when they were years old ... this was not just junior staffers, either.645
Agent Sculimbrene noted that did not believe that single person" was terminated because any information this nature that became apparent from FBI background investigation. 646
FBI Agent Cecilia Woods also found recent drug use the backgrounds some appointees and noted one instance where drug usage stopped recently the day before individual filled out the SF-86.647 was White House having its own problems completing background investigations that Livingstone and Maresca were busy work the "Update Project," which resulted the procurement hundreds background investigation files former Reagan and Bush officials. SECRET SERVICE CONCERNS Delays submitting background investigations the Secret Service
The Secret Service also became concerned about the delays the
Clinton White House obtaining permanent passes.648 Secret Service Agent Arnold Cole was the supervisor the White House Access Control Branch and was the individual tasked with interfacing with Livingstone's office.649
During the transition, Cole and other security personnel met with Clinton officials regarding security matters. that time, David Watkins was the point contact and Cole met with him several occasions.s5o some point later February, Livingstone was identified Cole the person who would heading the office.651
During the spring 1993, Cole convened meeting security officers for March 31, 1993 meet "new members the administration and discuss any security issues pertaining the White House complex." 652 These meetings were convened monthly through November 1993.653 Agent Cole testified that the Secret Service received very few background files before the end 1993.654
""'ld.
B46Jd., 43.
s4sId., 44.
647Woods deposition, 29.
ssoId.,
Sl[d,. 10.
62Id., 15.
863[d., 17.
ssDeposition Arnold Cole, July 10, 1996, 25. the meetings proceeded through the year, became apparent that there were problems with staff obtaining permanent passes. Agent Cole testified: the obvious concern that had from security standpoint was that anyone with temporary pass exceeding days and they have close proximity the President, would want know whether not this person would pose possible immediate projected threat later on. those were our concerns.655
Agent Cole testified that raised these concerns with Bill Kennedy and explained him the importance having the background investigations completed.656 Yet neither Kennedy's own background file nor Livingstone's were forwarded the Secret Service until September 20, 1993.657 Following the submission the Secret Service both their backgrounds, took another months before the Secret Service issued permanent passes Kennedy Livingstone November 23, 1993.658 Earlier that month, November 1993, Livingstone's neighbor filed complaint with the Montgomery County Police Department, charging Livingstone with simple assault for threatening her. Mr. Livingstone reportedly said, "If you don't keep that (expletive deleted) dog quiet, I'm going beat your face in." 659 The neighbor informed police that Livingstone made previous threats her the past, which Livingstone admitted. 660
Background files with problems take only several days for the Secret Service issue permanent pass. one the White House was alarmed when the people whom they put charge reviewing backgrounds had problems significant enough cause month delay issuing their permanent passes. man who made assault threats against woman was put charge security the White House. This should never have occurred. The Secret Service raised concerns about the content the background files
The Secret Service raised concerns about whether Livingstone should granted White House pass,0s1 when obtained his background file September 1993. Agent Cole said that became aware "derogatory information" Livingstone's file and raised with Kennedy:
What recall discussing with Mr. Kennedy was concerns the derogatory information and whether not concurred not wanted understand specifically what concern was related our
662mission
655 Deposition Arnold Cole, July 10, 1996, 18.
19.
draft ofdatafor GAO report, 1/5/95.
e59November 1993 event report Montgomery County Police threat Barbara Ann Craig Livingstone, #B93-240485.
661 Cole deposition, pp. 21-22.
662[d., pp. 22-23.
Agent
Cole said there was also information Kennedy's back
file which was brought his attention that reviewed
security standpoint and ultimately resolved favor Mr. Kennedy.sss background investigations other individuals started coming into the Secret Service late 1993 and early 1994, became apparent that there were issues recent drug use many files. Agent Jeff Undercoffer, who reviewed files early
1994, testified: would
more than 30, more than 40,
had drug usage [beyond
age}" and few dozens were recent."664 Agent Undercoffer testified what the files reviewed included: have seen cocaine usage. have seen hallucinogenic usages, crack usages would say those are the big three.sss late 1993, the Secret Service raised concerns over individual's pass request ''based our review the background inves
tigation" which they "felt that the
information was such that may compromise the security White House without some other mechanism place ensure that our concerns were just merely concerns." ss6
The Secret Service initially denied pass requests for number individuals because very recent diug use.6S7 Out this situa
tion, program was developed whereby the offending individual was required special drug testing program for
White House the Secret Service issuing
with recent drug use, the White House instituted random drug testing program. Agent Cole explained the program: think was compromise between both the White House and the Secret Service suggestion what would amenable both parties. 669 According the White House, the program included many people over the past several years the White House. These were individuals
year before they began work the White House. Nine such individuals still are employed the White House.s7o White House Counsel Jack Quinn ex.plained the program: small number instances, the Office White House Counsel consultation with the Secret Service, determined that individual should issued pass only she agrees subject the more frequent, nonrandom special drug testing protocol described above. This means being tested unannounced twice year under the same conditions the standard random testing program
s6aId., pp. 24-25.
664.[d., 41.
eaa Undercoffer deposition, 42.
665 Cole deposition, 31.
667Id. 32.
ass Cafe and Undercoffer depositions.
669 Cole deposition, 32.
870July 31, 1996 letter Chairman Clinger from Jack Quinn.
Workplace Plan. These individuals
information developed the
course the security clearance process supplied the
individual suggested that would prudent so.671 important recognize that this program handled entirely the White House Counsel's Office and the drug testing ad.ministered the EOP random testing program. When individual placed this program, "drug letter" placed his her file with the Secret Service. The Secret Service then informed there any positive drug testing.
The individua must sign this "drug letter" indicating that they acknowledge the drug use set forth his her FBI background investigation and the individual informed that any positive drug test would grounds for immediate termination.672
staff who have been involved since
1993 overseeing supervising the
drug testing are Bill Kennedy, Beth Nolan and Chris Cerf.
While the White House went extraordinary lengths have recent drug users staff-it even created special program keep them employed the White House-a June 10, 1993 memo gests that Bill Kennedy and Craig Livingstone seemed drug users might have some kind "right" job the White House! 674 regard staff who admit present
drug use, the June 10, 1993 memo asks: "Does the President
the authority (1) refuse employment; (2) hire conditions: send the individual health care professional assess the individual's suitability/risk pre-condition and, (3) hire without any conditions?" 675 Mr. oversaw the frivolous firings the Travel Office, had ask whether not the President could deny present drug users job the White House. CIA COMPARTMENTED CLEARANCES
The Clinton White House issued the highest national security clearances, CIA compartmented clearances, Livingstone, Wetzl and other young staffers the Office Personnel Security. Although CIA officials reviewed Livingstone's drug history and FBI background file, does not appear that the CIA made any objections issuing Livingstone least three separate compartmented clearances. 676 Records the committee has now reviewed make clear that the Clinton White House gave Craig Livingstone access the most classified sensitive information.
671[d.
B72July 31, 1996 letter Chairman Clinger from Jack Quinn.
873[d,
67-'June 10, 1993, "Assignment from Bill Kennedy Craig Livingstone," CGE 047888.
875[d.
s1a CIA docutnents, located committee files.
The committee was troubled the ease with which unsuitable candidates were given the highest levels security clearances. The CIA explained the committee that authorized the clearances, including that Livingstone, because the White House made the requests.
Finally, even when the White House decided upgrade the security clearance process, Livingstone was given special treatment again. Current White House Security Chief Charles Easley testified that did not review Livingstone's file when was updating the clearances everyone the White House.677 Mr. Easley testified that even though reviewed the file everyone else worked with the White House, declined review Livingstone's file and approved him for security clearance December 1995.678 This the individual the White House put charge the security office when Craig Livingstone resigned.
The lax and cavalier attitude the Clinton White House has regarding security was evident from the day Kennedy and Livingstone were placed positions responsibility the White House. Mrs. Clinton had role Kennedy's hiring. Mr. Kennedy took full advantage his connections the President and Mrs. Clinton, informing FBI liaison Bourke the relationship. Both Kennedy and Livingstone were unsuited this sensitive work given problems with their own backgrounds and evidence questionable conduct.
Despite complaints from the FBI and Secret Service about inordinate delays and abuse past processes, the White House continued allow unsuitable individuals preside over the office. The White House ignored FBI and Secret Service concerns, and the office was eventually found have inappropriately gathered FBI background files hundreds former Reagan and Bush officials.
The White House the center policies and debates that may determine matters life death, war peace. For the past years, the White House has engaged careful process security clearances and background checks individuals determine their suitability for positions the White House and throughout the executive branch.
The clearance and background process designed protect the security the President well the national security the country. One need only recall the case Aldrich Ames realize what kind problems can spring from lack vigilance security matters. important have solid procedures place guard against breaches security, the people who operate such procedures must carefully selected and remain above reproach. Clearly, that did not happen the Clinton White House where cronies and political operatives were put charge these sensitive matters.
Whether not these events are shown blunder, the
sult colossal incompetence, whether they are established
more serious even criminal, the casualness with which this
White House has approached many areas security and access
provided climate for either these troubling alternatives. The
677Easley deposition, 72.
878[d.
modus operandi this White House allowed persons questionable backgrounds remain the White House.